Social Worker I/II - Adult Services Division

The Adult Mental Health (South) team has a full-time opportunity for the position of Social Worker I/II within the Adult Services Division. This role involves providing Rule 79 Targeted Case Management for adults with serious and persistent mental illness. The caseload will include individuals who are voluntarily seeking services and those under civil commitment. This new position has been created to address the increasing volume of civil commitments this unit has been monitoring.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

• Experience providing Rule 79 Adult Mental Health Case Management Services for persons diagnosed with a Serious and Persistent Mental Illness in a governmental agency.
• Experience providing Rule 79 Adult Mental Health Case Management Services for persons diagnosed with a Serious and Persistent Mental Illness in a non-governmental or contract agency.
• Experience interacting with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
• Paid experience working in a community, clinic or home-based setting with individuals diagnosed with a mental illness.
• Paid experience working in a community, clinic or home-based setting with individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder.

SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

HOURS / DAYS: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RATE: Social Worker I: $68,494.40 - $93,433.60 Annually
This position may be hired as a Social Worker II based on applicant qualifications. Social Worker II: $72,675.20 - $99,153.60 Annually. 

E-Verify Participation: Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work,Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
E- Verify Participation Poster 
Right to work Poster 

The Social Worker I is an entry level position responsible for identifying and assessing complex individual, family and community problems and strengths, selecting case work, group methods or community resources and implementing plans to protect vulnerable people, promote independence and prevent abuse or neglect.

A Social Worker I may be assigned duties in any of the following units: Family/Children, Licensing, Chemical Health, Adult Mental Health, Development Disabilities, Adult Family Services, Adult Protection, Minnesota Family Investment Program/WorkForce Center or Housing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field, or equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field and one year of related experience as a Social Worker is highly desirable.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace;
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, practices and ethics of Social Work;
• Demonstrates knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills at conducting interviews;
• Demonstrates knowledge of relevant laws, policies and resources;
• Demonstrates knowledge of social and economic problems and family systems;
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal and court proceedings;
• Demonstrates ability to assess vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals and families;
• Demonstrates ability to develop clear and reasonable services and plans;
• Demonstrates ability to coordinate implementation of services and plans with families, other agencies and the community at large;
• Demonstrates ability to counsel and offer supportive services to individuals and families including those in crisis; and
• Demonstrates ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to complex situations.

Coordinate client intake:
• Receive referrals, conduct interviews and investigate to identify and assess problems or need for intervention/service;
• Develop, write, implement and monitor strength-based individual and family service plans to correct/eliminate identified problems;
• Determine appropriate resources and referrals to community-based care and services; and
• Develop and implement abuse prevention plans to address vulnerabilities.

Determine and implement intervention services:
• Assess risks to self and others (abuse or neglect and dangerousness);
• Intervene in crisis situations;
• Coordinate and secure emergency services; and
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts.

Provide client case management:
• Collaborate and consult with others (professional staff and community agencies) regarding clients, community services or programs;
• Open and maintain client case records and files according to established standards and timelines,
• Prepare necessary correspondence, required narratives, eligibility reviews and other incoming/outgoing communication about the client;
• Provide appropriate information regarding case openings, closings, and denials;
• Provide testimony or written recommendations in county or district court or in administrative appeal hearings regarding client cases;
• Advise clients of possible resources, rights and responsibilities under programs or services; and
• Develop, coordinate and deliver program information to the general public, special interest groups and professional organizations.

Perform other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Semi-sedentary involving office and outside field work. Lifting requirement may include lifting up to 20 pounds. Exposures may include but not be limited to disagreeable odors, communicable diseases, bodily fluids and behavior challenges. Use of general office equipment to include telephone, cell phone, pager, personal computer, laptop computer, electronic recorder, calculator, etc. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.

Salary : $68,494 - $93,434